Chicago Fire Sign Michael Harrington and Patrick McLain

CHICAGO (Jan. 18, 2016) – The Chicago Fire added two players to its roster on Monday, signing defender Michael Harrington and goalkeeper Patrick McLain. Per MLS and club policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed.

Harrington joins the Fire after spending the 2015 season with the Colorado Rapids, where he started 14 matches and tallied one goal. A nine-year MLS veteran, Harrington began his professional career when he was selected third overall in the 2007 MLS SuperDraft by Sporting Kansas City, formerly known as the Wizards.

In his rookie season, Harrington scored three goals and added four assists in 29 matches. Harrington spent a total of six seasons with Sporting KC, amassing a total of five goals and 14 assists in 149 regular season appearances. He also appeared in five playoff matches.

“With his soccer intelligence and team-first attitude, Michael can start for us in a few different spots,” said Fire general manager Nelson Rodríguez. “He is solid on both sides of the ball and is an important addition for us.”

The Greenville, N.C. native was traded to the Portland Timbers prior to the start of the 2013 season. That year, Harrington led the Timbers with 2,951 minutes played and started all four of the Timbers’ MLS Cup playoff games. He appeared in 25 matches for the Timbers in 2014 before joining the Rapids on Dec. 8, 2014.

A member of the U.S. Soccer Under-17 Residency Program in Bradenton, Fla., Harrington represented the United States in the 2003 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Finland and the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Holland.

McLain joins the Fire after spending the 2015 season with USL side Sacramento Republic FC, where he appeared in 29 matches across all competitions, recording 71 saves and allowing only 30 goals. McLain recorded six shutouts en route to a 11-8-5 record and a 1.25 Goals Against Average in USL play.

“Perhaps not yet recognized by many, we believe that Patrick is about to become known as an outstanding talent,” said Rodríguez. “He’s excellent with his feet and he also commands his box very well.”

A Eau Claire, Wis. native, McLain signed with Chivas USA on March 15, 2012 after a collegiate career at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo where he twice won All-Big West second team honors. McLain made his MLS debut for Chivas USA on May 5, 2013 when he entered in the 54th minute against Sporting KC. He earned his first start the next week against the Portland Timbers on May 12. McLain spent the 2014 season in the USL with the Orange County Blues before moving to Sacramento.